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Quad Cities Chamber Blog

QC, That's Where the Quad Cities Chamber and area businesses in our family of communities are advancing regional prosperity and advocating for economic growth along the Mississippi River. 

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Illinois State Capitol
Deadlines approaching on key Illinois legislation
March 27, 2024
The Chamber has been actively promoting legislation in Illinois related to housing and development, and has engaged our local legislators on additional business-related topics including  a number of workplace regulations that change the employer-employee relationship. Deadlines on legislation are quickly approaching and now is our opportunity to ensure we achieve a positive outcome this session.
Conflicting readings on inflation making Fed's decision to cut interest rates more difficult
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
March 27, 2024
Conflicting readings on inflation are making the Federal Reserve’s decision on when to cut interest rates more difficult. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February and 3.2% over the last twelve months. What effect will this have on the Federal Reserve's plan to lower interest rates this year? This week, we examine the prospects for inflation and interest rate cuts in relation to the latest data.
Hob Nosh 2023
Sip, sample, mix and mingle at Hob Nosh 2024
March 27, 2024
Get set to kick your networking game up a notch. The Chamber's most anticipated after-hours event is almost here and you won't want to miss it. Hob Nosh, presented by Mediacom Business and TBK Bank, is making its return on Thursday, April 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. 
Ryan Sempf
Iowa legislature completes 2nd funnel
March 20, 2024
Last Friday, March 15, the Iowa Legislature completed its second funnel and has determined which bills it will focus on passing this session. In other news from the Legislature, the Iowa Revenue Estimating Conference released its Estimate of General Fund Receipts. This report sets the limit for spending unless it's for the Legislature's FY25 negotiations.
Illinois Capitol Trip
Chamber travels to Springfield to continue conversations with legislators
March 20, 2024
The Quad Cities Chamber traveled to the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday, March 20 for a day of impactful conversations with Illinois top legislators and our local members of the general assembly. Discussions included the need for new programs to support middle-income housing, overregulation of employer-employee relationships and the final push for passenger rail in our region.
Bill Polley
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
March 19, 2024
Job growth remains strong nationally, but the unemployment rate rose slightly in February. Locally, employment is starting to decline, although the unemployment rate is still comparable to pre-COVID levels for this time of year. This week we outline some of the concerns about the labor market and how the situation is complicated by the national inflation picture.
Chris Caves
Chris Caves completes Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals
March 13, 2024
Chris Caves, Vice President, Business & Economic Growth at the Chamber received her Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals. This joint certificate program empowers professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intersection of economic and workforce development while closing education gaps. Each certificate recipient completed an intensive and comprehensive 6-week curriculum,
New members
Chamber welcomed 20 new members in February
March 13, 2024
Chamber membership numbers are strong as we begin 2024.
Big Muddy Rankings 2023
Quad Cities recognized for economic development projects in Mississippi River Corridor
March 13, 2024
The Quad Cities region ranked in the Top 10 Mississippi River Corridor metros by Site Selection Magazine. The rankings, which include all metro regions along the Mississippi River corridor, are based on corporate facility investment projects that meet certain criteria.
Weekly economic trends quad cities
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
March 12, 2024
The U.S. trade deficit rose in January following a significant decrease in the deficit for the 2023 calendar year. Local trade statistics for 2022 are now available, and the Quad Cities moved up the rankings from 52nd to 47th largest exporter among U.S. metropolitan areas. In the category of manufacturing of machinery, the Quad Cities ranked in the top-10 metro areas. This week, we look at the Quad Cities top exporting industries and what to expect in 2024.
U.S. Capitol
Quad Cities Chamber statement on President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address
March 8, 2024
President Joe Biden touched on issues impacting the Quad Cities in his State of the Union address, with both positive and negative impacts on our region. Site-readiness, workforce issues - including education and immigration - and the tax structure are all key concerns for the Quad Cities Chamber. 
Mayor Reggie Freeman
Chamber reacts to East Moline State of the City address
March 6, 2024
On Thursday, March 7, East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman delivered the 2024 State of the City address, highlighting key accomplishments and priorities from the past year. East Moline's cohesive plan aligns with the Chamber's priorities, focusing on investments in downtown and riverfront amenities, as well as attracting new businesses to the area.
Quad Cities Chamber Washington DC Trip
Chamber travels to Washington D.C. to advocate for federal legislative priorities
March 6, 2024
The Quad Cities Chamber delegation traveled to our nation’s capital this week to advocate for our federal legislative priorities meeting with U.S. Senate and House members over two days.
Iowa 80 Distribution Center
Iowa 80 Group celebrates Distribution Center opening
March 6, 2024
The Iowa80.com Distribution Center celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, Feb. 27. This $20 million capital investment includes a state-of-the-art warehouse equipped with advanced technology and an additional 132,921 square feet of available space for lease.
Weekly economic trends quad cities
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
March 5, 2024
This week we depart from the usual news headline-oriented topics to take a deeper dive into some background data on the Quad Cities region. Our economic and demographic data dashboard contains key indicators to help you get to know the region.
Hickey Global Site Visit
Hickey Global to help Chamber tackle site readiness
February 28, 2024
Hickey Global Economic Development Consulting, a full-service economic development consulting firm, met with the Chamber and its economic development partners this week. David Hickey, Managing Director of Hickey & Associates, and Barry Matherly, President & CEO of Hickey Global, toured sites in both the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities.
Moline State of the City address
Chamber reacts to Moline State of the City address
February 28, 2024
In her State of the City Address, Mayor Rayapati spoke on the importance of having a balanced approach to governing that would ensure a bright future for the city. The Chamber supports the City's commitment to keeping property tax rates low, and is pleased to see its grant program succeed.
Weekly economic trends quad cities
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
February 27, 2024
Productivity was up in the U.S. economy in the fourth quarter of 2023 both for the manufacturing sector as well as the rest of the economy. The increase in productivity comes even as manufacturing output declined in the quarter. What is the reason for this, and what implication does it have for the fight against inflation? We answer these questions this week with an eye toward what to expect in the months ahead.
Bettendorf State of City Address
Chamber reacts to Bettendorf State of the City address
February 22, 2024
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher delivered the 2024 State of the City address. Many of the initiatives he highlighted align with the Chamber’s local legislative agenda.
Ryan Sempf
Iowa Legislature completes first funnel
February 22, 2024
Iowa's first legislative funnel is complete. Although surviving bills are not across the finish line, they have completed the first key step in becoming law. Read more about the bills the Chamber is tracking, and where they stand.